WGHS IN TOUCH VOL 5

ISSUE 05 SUMMER 2019

IN TOUCH www.wghsintouch.org.uk

FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF WAKEFIELD GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

THE FEELING OF COMMUNITY AND CARE AND THE UNFAILING MESSAGE THAT I COULD DO ANYTHING.

Heels on our shoes being measured with a ruler... And Mr Shaw walking on the desks in history class Posture stripes! MRS ARMITAGE

FISH ON A BLACKBOARD Running, and I mean running, straight The expectation that we could do and be anything we wanted in our lives.

from assembly to save "middle desks" for Miss Underwood's Latin lessons!

MRS YOUNG EXPLAINING THAT THE TRADE WINDS MOVE AROUND THE GLOBE THE SAME WAY THAT SOUP MOVES ACROSS A BOWL WHEN YOU BLOW ON IT. English with Mrs Woods or History with Mrs Armitage MISS KNOTT WAS REALLY AHEAD OF THE TIMES.

QUARTER PAST THREE DAYS

Whenever I hear 'eye of the tiger' and 'walking on broken glass' I think of school dance lessons in my aertex blouse and navy dance leggings.

Chemistry A-level with Dr Bob (Roberts)... I embrace my geekery with pride!

I STILL ALWAYS WALK ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF A CORRIDOR OR STAIRS!!!

Mrs Armitage was wonderful! Fabulously colour co-ordinated with beautiful handwriting... and an enthusiastic teacher.

HERBY POTATOES

Friends forever and putting all the clocks forwards by 20 mins in the Newstead block (both floors! #earlyfinish!...) WGHS WAS ONE OF THE BEST TIMES OF MY LIFE

VALUES INSTILLED IN US ALL AND A LIFELONG SENSE OF PRIDE AND BELONGING... THE THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND BELIEF PLUS CHEESE SLOP AND POSTURE STRIPES! THAT WE AS GIRLS COULD ACHIEVE!

Being told every day that there was nothing I couldn’t achieve School trips... skiing in Austria will always bring a smile to my face!

CHILLING BEHIND WILLOWS.

ONLY MRS ARMITAGE COULD MATCH A HEADBAND WITH HER TIGHTS AND SHOES.

THE FRIENDS I WILL HAVE FOREVER. AND MRS PAT LANGHAM WITH HER SKIRT RULES!!

ENORMOUS GREY GAMES KNICKERS WHICH, WHILE BOUGHT FOR Highland toffee bars and bovril crisps at the tuck shop! IV LOWER, WERE STILL BAGGY IN V UPPER! WGHS WAS MY FAMILY AND MY FRIENDS WERE MY SISTERS

Art classes with Mrs Gration and Mr Noble Amazing teachers... Mrs Armitage, Dr Slingsby, Mrs Williams... too many to name

THE COMPULSORY CROSS COUNTRY RUN WHEN TOO WET TO PLAY HOCKEY!

MAKING FRIENDSHIPS FOR LIFE... FIRM FOUNDATIONS FOR LIFE AND A SUPPORT NETWORK LIKE NO OTHER.

BEING ADVISED BY PAL TO WEAR MATCHING UNDERWEAR AT ALL TIMES JUST IN CASE Playing pirates in the gym on the YOU HAD AN ACCIDENT, YOUR CLOTHES HAD TO GET CUT OFF BY A MEDICAL TEAM AND last PE lesson of term. HEAVEN FORBID SOMEONE MIGHT SEE UNMATCHING UNDERWEAR!! 6TH FORM BALLS... THE DRESSES, THE LAUGHS!

School hymn at the end of term and the three cheers for the holidays ‘ONCE A HIGH SCHOOL GIRL, ALWAYS A HIGH SCHOOL GIRL’

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CONTENTS HEAD’S WELCOME

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DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

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ALUMNAE EVENTS

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GIVING BACK

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MEMORIES FROM THE PAST 10 SCHOOL NEWS

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WGHS TIMELINE

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SUMMER REUNION

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OG ACHIEVEMENTS

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I CHANGED CAREER

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STAY IN TOUCH Connect and network with fellow WGHS Old Girls on LinkedIn by joining the WGHS group. Search: “Wakefield Girls’ High School In Touch” Join the WGHS Old Girls Facebook group to keep up-to-date with event and reunion information, WGHS news and memories. Search: “Wakefield Girls’ High School Old Girls” Keep up to date with all alumnae news, event and reunion information and memories on Twitter. Search: @WGHSInTouch Visit the official WGHS Old Girls’ website for all alumnae profiles, news, and up-to-date events including the events calendar and booking information. You can also claim your own Old Girls profile and update your information and contact details. Visit: www.wghsintouch.org.uk

LIFE AFTER THE COMMON ROOM

34 Development Office, 158 Northgate, Wakefield, WF1 3UF

WGHS HALL OF FAME

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LIVES REMEMBERED

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Catherine Worsley Development Director Tel: 01924 231642 Email: cworsley@wghsss.org.uk

Lizzie Hulme Development Officer Tel: 01924 663733 Email: lhulme@wghsss.org.uk

We hope you enjoy Issue 5 of WGHS In Touch. Thank you to those Old Girls and former staff who have contributed to the articles in this magazine. Sharing your news and achievements is what makes this magazine so interesting and enjoyable, so please do keep us informed of your news. We have lots of events in the diary for the coming year (see page 7) please try and book early, it really does help with our planning. We look forward to seeing you in the coming weeks and months. Lizzie Hulme & Cath Worsley (Please contact lhulme@wghsss.org.uk if you would like to share your news in our next edition of WGHS In Touch)

DEAR ALUMNAE

Even when you leave us, I hope you feel that you remain part of our network and family. The network is an active community of around 3800 former students. Our alumnae network brings together past students based in the UK and overseas making connections, sharing news, passing on careers and university expertise, hosting professional and social events, and helping alums link to old and new friends alike. It’s a super network and our current students are so lucky to benefit from your commitment to the school and that you so openly share your skills and experience. Indeed, the launch of our Project Acorn mentoring scheme this year for our Year 12 students has seen the involvement of 37 alumnae; this is just one terrific example of the networking opportunities available and I hope to see this grow from strength to strength. I am thrilled that we are able to offer so much to our students and indeed open the doors to many through our bursary scheme, who otherwise would not be able to be educated at Wakefield Girls’ High School. The Hepworth Knott scholarship is one example of this and I am delighted that we welcome our second Hepworth Knott Scholar this September.

If you would like to be more engaged with current school life, please do let us know as we have active LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter groups. Social media and technology have done so much to shrink our world and to help facilitate networking; girls and women are in touch on a regular basis. Being more connected helps to share ideas, inspire and to support each other. I firmly believe that we should encourage the sharing of knowledge and skills, but also that we use our voice, individually and collectively, to stand up for what we believe in. Wakefield Girls’ High School women share many characteristics despite the fact that the alumnae network is composed of people from many different paths in life – city bankers, stay-at-home mums, charity workers, entrepreneurs and more. The diversity and size of our community are what help to make it so special and we greatly value the legacy of our women of the past – but also of the future.

Ms Heidi-Jayne Boyes Head

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At this time of year, as senior girls move on to the next stage of their life, it’s worth remembering that we endeavour to keep in touch with all the girls who have been part of Wakefield Girls’ High School. It’s not only about the girls though, as we keep in touch with former staff and parents too through events, reunions and up to date information with news from the School.

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DEVELOPMENT OFFICE UPDATE The Foundation Development Office has been up and running now for nearly five years. Organising events, reporting on School and alumni news, creating Giving Back opportunities for alumni to share their wisdom and experiences with current students and reaching out to as many of you as possible via our social media platforms (LinkedIn, Twitter & Facebook) are just some of the things the Development Office does.

THE YEAR AT A GLANCE 2018/19

Another aspect of our work is fundraising. You may remember in 2016 when a group of enthusiastic and dedicated Sixth Form Students undertook the Foundation’s first ever Fundraising Telethon. Donors made 192 gifts, raising £40,000 for various projects around the Foundation’s Schools, with bursaries being the most popular fund. Furthermore, it gave the 13 students who participated the opportunity to gain some valid work experience and a real insight into the history of the Schools and alumni experiences over the years.

5,110 Old Girls recorded

In order to ensure our future fundraising efforts encompass our wider community views and ideas, in March this year we published an Online Supporter Survey, which many of you completed. Your feedback and comments on the creation of a Foundation fundraising strategy to take us into the next century were gratefully received. See highlights below.

1,355 Old Girl Facebook Members

We are pleased to report that after reviewing the responses to the Survey, the Governors have agreed a fundraising strategy which includes legacy giving and fundraising for bursaries as well as the new Clayton Campus. Should you wish to get involved in any way, please contact Cath Worsley (cworsley@wghsss.org.uk) or complete the form enclosed with this magazine.

310 Old Girl LinkedIn Members

ONLINE SUPPORT SURVEY – RESULTS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

BURSARIES

THANK YOU LETTER

Most important reason for making a charitable donation

Most popular cause amongst respondents

Most important form of recognition

21% of respondents would like to learn more about leaving a legacy to School 4% of respondents are already making a regular gift to our schools

16% of respondents have already made a single gift

7% of respondents are interested in learning more about making a regular gift

40% of respondents would consider making a single gift

All gifts, no matter the size are very much appreciated and collectively make a difference

INTERESTING FACTS – THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS:

Number of pupils in receipt of a means-tested bursary

Financial assistance to pupils (bursaries)

Senior School pupils in receipt of a means-tested bursary

GIVING BACK - THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR AMBASSADORS We are delighted to be able to share with you the names of our Foundation Ambassadors, those alumni, parents and friends of the Foundation Schools who have very kindly made a gift. Financial gifts of whatever size are greatly appreciated and help us to continue to provide a first-class education, great facilities and the best opportunities for our students.

anonymous Mr Patrick Addinall & Ms Julia Bradshaw Ms Melissa Addy Dr Katherine Adler Mr Vinaykumar Ahir Mr William Asquith Mr Andrew Beales Mr Donald Beardshall Mrs Helen Bennett (nee Clark) Mr & Mrs N Best Mr Paul Blakeborough Mr Roger Blakemore Julia Bradshaw & Patrick Addinall Mr Jonathan Brain Dr Tim Brears Mr David Brindley Mrs Bronwyn Broadhurst Ms Judith Brown Mr Samuel Butterworth Ms Joanna Carlisle Dr Michael Cheesbrough Ms Stephanie Chui Miss Mildred Clark Mrs Jane Clarke Mrs Margaret Clayson Ms Penelope Cliffe Ms Lisa Colledge Mrs Geraldine Collie Dr Richard Coppack Ms Elizabeth Corney Mrs Pat Craven Mrs K Crockford Mr J P Crompton Dr Anna Crossley Ms Heather Danyluk Mr Robert Davidson Mr David Elliston Captain & Mrs G English Mrs Claire Fairclough

Mrs Catherine Featherstone Mr & Mrs Fergusson Ms Louise Foster Mr & Mrs Gilfeather Mr Simon Godley Mr Malcolm Golightly Mrs Caroline Gorton Mr Nigel Gray Mrs Joan Guénault Mr Rajiv Gupta Mr Geoffrey Haigh Mr Phillip Hodson Mrs Ann Holmes Ms Patricia Howarth Ms Heather Hughes Mr Andrew Hunt Ms Barbara Hunt Ms Georgina Hyde Mr & Mrs S Ingram Dr Meena Jain Mrs Janine Johnson Mr Christopher Jones Mr David Keighley Mr Christopher Knowles Mr & Mrs Krasniqi Mrs Pat Langham Ms Katrina Law Mrs Claire Lawrence Mr Simon Leach Mr & Mrs Longo Mr Iain MacDonald Mrs Amanada Mackenzie Mr John McLeod Mrs Laura McNeillie Mr Steven McTiernan Mr Christopher Millington Mr Ian Minards Mr Alastair Morris Mr & Mrs Nakuti Mr & Mrs J Nutton Louise O’Hare Mr Paul Oakley Mr & Mrs R Oba

Mrs Mary Oldham Mrs Barbara Panton Mr Wayne Parkinson Ms Natalie Petyt Ms Jean Piper Mr Srikanth Rajgopal Miss Louise Reeve Mr Richard Roberts Ms Jill Roe Mr Sarwjit Sambhi Dr Santhalingham & Dr Manoharan Mrs Nicola Sephton Ms Shuchi Shah Mr Michael Shaw Dr James Shawcross Mr John Shirtliff Mr Geoffrey Skenfield Ms Helen Slinger Ms Rosalind Stead Mr Paul Thomas Sykes Ms Chantal Szymanska Ms Alison Tetley Ms Ruth Tetley Mr & Mrs Thompson Mr John Thorp Mr Christopher Toone Mr & Mrs D Towler Ms Leah Tsirigotis Mr Michael Varley Mr P Way Mr Timothy Welton WGHS PTA Mrs Shirley Wigglesworth Mr James Wild William Lamb Group Ltd Mrs B Wirtz Mr D J Woodhead Mrs Glenys Woods Ms Anna Woolley Ms Cath Worsley Mr & Mrs E Young Mr Peter Young

We would also like to thank those alumnae who have given their time as part of our ‘Giving Back’ programme, coming into School to talk to students, sharing their knowledge and expertise. We are truly grateful for your generous contributions and we know this programme helps to enrich our students’ knowledge and experience and engender a culture of giving back to the wider School community. Donors listed have pledged or made a gift to the Foundation Schools. Whilst we endeavour to ensure that these lists are accurate, we apologise if there are any inaccuracies. Please let us know if this is the case.

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100 donors wished to remain

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WELCOME TO THE CLASS OF 2019 As we welcome another cohort of WGHS Girls to our alumnae family, we hope you will take away from your time at School many happy memories and will want to stay in touch and enjoy all the benefits that being part of the wider School community offers. WGHS In Touch community hopes to keep you connected to your school, foster old and new relationships and support both WGHS and its alumnae. We do this in various ways, including through our dinners and drinks events, through careers, peer-to-peer mentoring and our Giving Back

programme and the School’s latest initiative Project Acorn, mentoring for current students (see page 9). We also like to keep you abreast of school and alumnae news through our annual magazine, WGHS In Touch, monthly e-newsletters and our various social media platforms, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. The 5,000-strong Old Girl community is an enormous pool of goodwill, experience, skills and resources and we hope that you will both benefit from and contribute to it in the coming months and years.

CLASS OF 2019

Being involved is simple You should have already received your login details to our online site www.wghsintouch.org.uk where you can update your details, view current news and book any of the events we have planned for the coming academic year.

Attend our events – there are some exclusively for Old Girls but many more where you can join your friends from QEGS and enjoy a good old catch-up.

Each year in the Summer you will receive a copy of this magazine, and each month a copy of our e-newsletter, so please do let us know if you have any news you would like to share. Please email lhulme@wghsss.org.uk.

Marissa Allott Lucy Baker Alessandra Ballance Annabel Barker-Moore Florence Booth Fiona Bottomley Emma Brightman Olivia Butler Sara Chowdhery Florence Collins Miranda Cooke Emma Copley Madison Craig Anoushka Das Michelle Dugboyele Tanusree Dutta Sophie Farrar Francesca Geldard Jennie Giblin Lara Gijbels Saskia Goodwill Katy Gordon Kyra Gunura Mariya Habib Georgia Hamblett Charlotte Harvey Helena Holdsworth Gabriella House Alana Hunt Hannah Hunt Amelia Hunter-Wilkinson Kirsty Jackman Lucinda Jackson Maryam Kabir Erin Kelly Hillary Kent Harriet Kirby-Brown Sabire Krasniqi Jasmine Lau

Elspeth Lee Molly Lyster Nikita McConnell Emily McKinnell Emily McLoughlin Elizabeth Maddan Amelia Marsden Francoise Nel Farrah Parkinson Jemma Patnaik Abigail Paton Lucy Preene Sadie Pridham Jessica Rigg Selina Sadiq Himaja Sakhamuri Gaayatri Sharma Jessica Shipley Amna Shiwani Hannah Singleton Smita Sinha Morgan Small Emily Smith Laura Smith Lucy Smith Emily Stone Isobel Sykes Chelsea Tai Annie Taylor Callula Tobin Annabel Tyzzer-Smith Laura Vickers Lucy Von Emloh Eleanor Walmsley Isobel Whitfield Katherine Willard Charlotte Wing Jessica Young

2019/20 EVENTS LIST

ALUMNAE EVENTS JOINT LONDON DRINKS

WAKEFIELD DRINKS The Yorkshire Deli, Wakefield Thursday 7 November 2019 (Joint with QEGS Old Savilians) OLD GIRLS’ LONDON DINNER Café Below, London Friday 15 November 2019 CLASS OF 2019 REUNION The Yorkshire Deli, Wakefield 16 December 2019 OS CAMBRIDGE DINNER Clare College, Cambridge Saturday 18 January 2020 (Invitation open to Old Girls to attend Old Savilians’ Club Cambridge Dinner)

You can book any of the events above by visiting www.wghsintouch.org.uk or by emailing Lizzie Hulme at: lhulme@wghsss.org.uk

On Thursday 16 May we paid another visit to the capital city to enjoy an evening with our southern based alumni. Standing on the bank of the River Thames, outside The Horniman at Hay’s Galleria, the wind was a little sharp, but it didn’t detract from either the view or the atmosphere of the evening. Our rather vigilant security guard ensured there were no gate-crashers as the evening got underway! Lots of Old Girls and Old Savs, some of whom haven’t been to an event since they left school, all chatted with each other, remembering teachers who inspired them and sharing their memories. The drinks flowed, the nibbles were all consumed before the hard-core amongst you retreated inside to make a night of it! Thank you to everyone who came along – we hope you will join us next year at The Horniman.

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SUMMER REUNION Jubilee Hall, WGHS Saturday 20 June 2020

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CAMBRIDGE DINNER 2019 The Cambridge Dinner is a favourite Old Savilian event for many, not just because it is based in such a beautiful and historic city, but because the evening always engenders such a lovely atmosphere. Visiting Clare College for the second year, we were served a welcome drink of Buck’s Fizz, followed by a hearty meal of spicy pumpkin soup, pork and black pudding Wellington and lemon cheesecake. Since the Old Savilians’ Club extended an invitation to attend to Old Girls it has been a pleasure to see Old Girls who are currently studying at the various colleges in Cambridge sit alongside Old Savilians also studying at Cambridge, those for whom Cambridge was their alma mater as well as staff and guests who travelled to Cambridge for the occasion. Following a minute’s silence to honour Barry Senior (OS, 1949), a former Old Savilian Club President, who died a few days earlier, we were addressed by OS President, Alistair McKinlay and Headmaster, David Craig. To conclude the

formalities, Andy Harter CBE (OS, 1979) who is currently High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, attended in full ceremonial uniform and proposed the loyal toast. Such was the convivial atmosphere of the whole evening, we concluded with visits to one or two of Cambridge’s hostelries! We look forward to Old Girls joining us next year.

OG LONDON DINNER This year we are hosting our first formal event in the capital city for Old Girls. The event will take place on Friday 15 November, in the charming surroundings of Cafe Below, located in the ancient, medieval crypt of St Mary-le-Bow Church. We are delighted to announce that Mr Eggleston will be joining us. Located beneath the Bow Bells, the staff of Cafe Below are dedicated to all things London, sourcing their produce as locally as possible. They boast a menu of British and European dishes, all made on site, including the bread and salad dressings. The three course dinner in this atmospheric venue will cost £45, to include a welcome drink and a glass of wine; discounted to just £30 for those Old Girls who are still students. This is a great opportunity, not just to catch up with friends, but to network and have a lovely evening in the capital. Please join us for what we hope will become an annual event for our Old Girls. (To book, visit www.wghsintouch.org.uk or email lhulme@wghsss.org.uk)

OLD GIRL COOK-OFF 2020 Such was the success of our Old Girls’ Cheese Slop & Prosecco cook-off evening that we have decided to host another event in the spring. Once you have signed up we will decide collectively which dish you are going to cook from your old school cookery exercise books. As you explore your inner Delia, we will provide you with a little liquid refreshment to help you on your way!! The final dishes will be judged and a prize awarded. Places are limited so please book early. #WGHScookoff #tastesfromthepast Email lhulme@wghsss.org.uk now to reserve your place.

GIVING BACK PROJECT ACORN MENTORING SCHEME WGHS is always looking to improve the careers support that we offer girls in order to give them the widest and most informed choices about what careers may be available to them in the future. Many of you have come back into School to share your knowledge and experiences in assemblies and workshops as part of our Giving Back initiative and this has been invaluable in helping us to inform the girls. Such has been the willingness of our alumnae community to support the School, the careers department have added an alumnae mentoring programme to run alongside the work placement programme, Project Acorn, which has been running for a number of years. This is a forward-looking mentoring scheme, offered to all pupils in Year 12 as they start seriously thinking about their future career steps. A directory featuring mentor volunteers has been created and includes a short biography, employment details and experience to date as well as email contact information. Girls will be invited to fill in an application form if they wish to be linked with a mentor, detailing what they would like to ask and which mentor they would like to contact. Teachers will then match pupils to mentors. This is an exciting new development and we are grateful to all those Old Girls who have committed to being a mentor and are giving up their time to help current students. Knowing that you once stood in their shoes gives our girls real inspiration and confidence that anything is possible and we are positive that as the scheme develops, both mentors and mentees will benefit greatly from it. If you are interested in being part of the Project Acorn mentoring programme, please contact aoliver@wghsss.org.uk or lhulme@wghsss.org.uk.

EMILY CROWSON VISIT TO SCHOOL We were delighted to welcome Emily Crowson back to school. Having parked in the cobbled yard and been made a coffee by Deputy Head, David Eggleston, her former Economics teacher, Emily joked she felt like a celebrity!

Emily recalls that on the outside she appeared to be coping and dealing with her mum’s illness; however, the reality was very different. She has since recognised that she was bottling up her emotions and not really dealing with the emotional turmoil such a catastrophic event would have. Fortunately for Emily, she had a very close friend who was a doctor who encouraged her to open up and talk about it and alongside the support from her family and other friends, she worked her way through it. She encouraged girls in the audience to seek help, to keep talking and to use their support network to help them through difficult times. Despite the personal difficulties Emily faced, she still managed to gain a first-class honours degree in Economics from Manchester University. On completion of her degree, Emily joined The Grayce Development Programme, a rigorous training and development scheme that promotes core skills and specialist business change knowledge, as a Project Analyst. After a year gaining some real

experience but yet still with no real career plan, she followed the advice of a friend: to get into a big company in a long-lasting industry and go from there. This she did. She joined United Utilities in September 2015 as a Junior Business Readiness & Deployment Manager and has since worked her way up through various roles to her current position as a Systems Operations Support Manager. Emily runs a team whose job it is to manage and test our water systems, viewing and monitoring water movement across the region. Emily didn’t even know jobs like this existed when she was at school and certainly didn’t imagine herself working in this type of role, in this type of industry. Emily’s message to the girls was for them to recognise that they don’t need a game plan. She encouraged them to choose a subject to study at university that they enjoyed and to work at being adaptable as the end game is always moving. Emily is to be married in the summer of 2020 and was happy to share that it all came together for her without a plan!

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Under the spotlight in assembly Emily talked candidly about her time at WGHS and her career to date. Having achieved four A Levels (One A* and three As), she remembers being studious and driven but also somewhat forthright, a sentiment echoed by Mr Eggleston. However, her final two years at the High School weren’t easy, as Emily’s mum was diagnosed with cancer and just as she was about to embark on her university studies, yet more sad news, it was terminal.

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“AGONIES OF DOMSCI LESSONS” After reading “Memories of a 1960s Girl” by Hazel Moore in last year’s magazine, I felt compelled to share a memory of mine about our domestic science lessons or “domsci” as we called it, which, if my memory serves me correctly, was an almost universally unpopular subject! Hazel mentioned making a blouse with a Peter Pan collar. I did just this when I was in IV Lower in 1958 (or it might have been IV Middle). I remember it well: it had to be cotton; it had to be hand-sewn throughout (by us, not our mothers at home); even the loops of the button fastening had to be hand-made and the pattern had to match across the opening where the buttons were. The buttons had to be sewn on in a cross-fashion. If “she” thought your mother had sewn any of the seams because they were neater than ours would be, “she” would make you unpick them all and redo them yourself. It was incredibly tedious and needless to say, I’ve never actually done much dressmaking since... However, you can see my efforts in the enclosed photo, taken last summer and perhaps it is testament to the careful sewing, but I still wear this 60-year-old blouse from time to time. Anne Grimshaw (OG, 1965)

MEMORIES FROM THE PAST THE SIXTH FORM CLUB I trained as a teacher and taught in primary schools for most of my life. John worked for Rolls-Royce in the marketing department, mostly in Coventry except for a few years when we had the opportunity to live in Rio de Janeiro. Over the years we shared many different interests and life was never dull. John unfortunately died a few years ago and I think perhaps our son Tim best described our marriage in the eulogy he wrote for his father:

The Sixth Form Club had a lot to answer for. It certainly led to my marriage with John. We were both on the committee and involved in the organisation of a dance in the winter of 1964. We seemed to need a fair number of meetings, and these were allowed in the lunchbreak at the High School but we had to meet in full view around the table in the hallway outside Miss Knott’s study. Later that year, John and I got together and, after several false starts, we were married in 1970, the Best Man and Groomsmen all being Old Savilians.

“John and Barbara were married for almost 45 years. As two headstrong individuals with a love of specialist traditions, travel and profoundly silly things, they got on like a house on fire – and as we all know, with a house on fire, sometimes it’s safest to stand back and let things happen of their own accord. But come on – they moved to Brazil. They sailed boats and drove beautifully restored cars and laughed long into the night with food, wine and wonderful friends.” I still have two of John’s classic cars and drive them regularly. I am still travelling with (wonderful) friends and reminders of John’s humour are still all around me. I have so many good memories. Barbara Atack (née Fox) (OG, 1965)

A LASTING FRIENDSHIP

The majority of us started WGHS in IV Lower (Year 7) and we were the last year group to complete O Levels and that in itself dates us somewhat. When we started Miss Hand was our headmistress with Miss Gray assisting and there was only one male teacher (Mr Oldroyd). When we left there were an awful lot more: Dr Utley (Claire T and I were in his first ever form, V Lower U in the Geography room!) and Mr Collett spring to mind. Misses Anderson and Evans were our PE teachers followed by Miss Fraser and Miss Bottomley (Mrs Rowbotham). There were however many constants... cheese slop (with beetroot & chips), Cushions, Willows... Miss Underwood taught Latin all the way through and Miss Applewhite was always with us. When we left Mrs Langham was in charge and Mrs Mirfield was her Deputy. Mrs Young, Minards and Williams (Geography) Miss Vero and Mrs Zserdicky (Religious Studies) Miss Hardcastle, Mrs Killey, Mrs Armitage and Mrs Kent (History) Mrs Larner and Mrs Mirfield and an extremely young Mrs Hotham (French) Miss Littlewood and Miss Underwood (Latin) Miss Ewan, Miss Mason and Miss Anderson (Music) Mrs Williams, Miss Brown and Mrs Andrassy (Domestic Science) Mr Oldroyd and Mrs Birtwistle (for those of us who were more challenged by Maths) and Mrs Turner (for those more gifted in the Maths department) Science: the Dr’s mentioned before, Miss Kilsby and of course Mrs Whiteman – who I was amazed to see was still teaching at QEGS until very recently! Oooh I could just keep going, but I must stop... Mrs Thomson for Art... We joined the Senior School in 1982 and left in 1989, having collectively spent hours on Wentworth Terrace, at Roof Top Gardens (oh, how we all oohed and ahhhhhhhed at the light show and smoke – if we told our children they would just look at us with utter disdain), had our hair permed, went to Wham and Duran Duran concerts (when the Queens Hall was down near the Station- under the arches in Leeds)... and oh my goodness we were there at a time when Wakefield was famous for Black Lace and the world had yet to hear of Jane MacDonald! We wore beige socks, brown shoes and plain navy ties; stripes were only for the Sixth Form! We travelled on smoky top decked service buses with kerching saver strips (buy a cardboard strip up front and get 12 journeys for the price of 10). It was 35p each way from Wakefield to Pontefract and there was a bus every ten minutes! We went from craving Benetton jumpers to trying to be goths for a while to being ultimate late 80s kids with Kylie perms (I confess I was a culprit). Scrunchies were big and so was having shoulder pads in our shirts! Classic albums of our time

date us; from the Jam to Culture Club, to Michael Jackson (Bad)... along came Madonna, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, soft rock and Spandau Ballet, Wham and Duran Duran. Leaving school in 1989 we were just in time to go to Uni with the Stone Roses and the Manchester scene and we all “Sat Down” with James... moving into the 1990’s! We were at WGHS when Art was in the rooms at the top (not classics!) and RS was in room 23 (not in Beaumont) and French was in Room 4 with the sun shining in on the chalk dust. The science block did not have a fancy roof/top deck on it. However, I am happy to report that some things have not changed; History is still in Room 24. Year 7 (IV Lower) form rooms are still at the top of Newstead. We were a three-form entry – 96 of us in three classes – 32 to a class! Miss Mason’s form was in Room 30, Mrs Stansfield’s was in Room 31 and an incredibly young Mrs Zserdicky was in Room 32. Kids still pile onto buses (but they leave on Wentworth Street, not Wentworth Terrace) and students walk en masse to catch the Doncaster and Huddersfield trains. We sat our A Levels, jumped in the pond near Sotterly, got on the stage and embarrassingly now, all sang a U2 song together (with actions)! Hard to believe but very sweet at the time; perhaps you had to be there! Anyway we cried as we left and vowed to be friends forever... and do you know what, from time to time in our crazy hectic lives we do manage occasionally to get together. In 2004 we arranged a somewhat maverick (but great fun) reunion with QEGS and SILCOATES TOO! We had a great time and managed to gather together a very large group of us. Mrs Langham, Miss Brown, Miss Applewhite and Miss Fraser/Mrs MacGregor joined us! This resulted in us (Damenjeet – Head Girl – and I) meeting the founder of Friends Reunited – how very passé! A small group of us have managed to continue to meet. We attended the 1980s reunion and a picture of us all sitting on the Jubilee Hall Stage is still on the alumnae page. We initially had some great evenings at each other’s houses and last year we ventured for a night away (in Emley). Our last get-together was in January. Lara came along and amazingly we had not seen her for 29 years, but she has not changed a bit. We had prosecco and nibbles chez moi – (nobody had heard of humous in Wakefield in 1989 and we only ate olives on holiday. Gone are the days of Diamond White, Snakebites and Bacardi and Cokes), went for a gin at the Yorkshire Deli before having a meal at the Cowshed! We then went to Boons for old time’s sake – only to find it had shut at 11pm! How disappointing – so staggered back to mine. Some people stayed for an old-school sleepove – they brought sleeping bags and pillows. We chatted far too late /

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On Sat 12 January a group of us old girls met up in Wakefield for a get together and a night out.

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WGHS In Touch Issue 5

12 early...! We woke up to the sound of hockey balls being hit at College Grove and remembered the days on cold pitches, singing songs on minibuses together, wooden sticks, playing only on grass (that ball did not move!) and wearing cricket pads in goal! Grey knickers! We had to explain what skorts are to some! But it was amazing to see everyone. WGHS has a very special place in our hearts. We have some wonderful memories and shared great stories. It is a great place which gave us a fantastic bond. We can still chat for hours and laugh until we cry. We remember all of our friends and year group – those we see, those we don’t, those who live in far off places and we always remember Alice. We left a long time ago, but because of our shared experiences we can always just pick up where

we left off. It is easy, natural and that does not change. We are now 47 and 48 years old, but meeting up instantly knocks 30 years off us. We revert back to our 17-and-18-year-old selves. It’s good for the heart and good for the soul! You can only laugh uncontrollably, from the bottom of your boots, with tears streaming down your face, with old friends who share your history! The things we did, said, wore all those years ago! My daughter is horrified that I can still sing every word of the school song and cannot understand why I feel a bit teary if I ever find myself in the Jubilee Hall – but give her just a few more years and ... she will! Clare Kirton (née Foster) (OG, 1989)

EILEEN WILBY (OG, 1945) Eileen shared her memories of her time at WGHS with me recently when I went to visit her at her residence in Ripon. Eileen left WGHS in 1945 having attended the School throughout the war on a Storie Scholarship. The Storie Scholarship was awarded to the top achieving boy and girl across Wakefield. After leaving School at 16, Eileen went on to train as a teacher and taught infants for 40 years, six years in Wakefield and the remainder of her career near York. Wanting to do her bit for her country, Eileen registered for National Service, however, as teaching was a reserved occupation, she became a reserve with the Navy instead. Eileen has many fond memories of her time at School. She remembered particularly well Mrs Kingswell getting married as she and her friends wondered who would want to marry an “old lady” as they viewed her at the time! Eileen remembered her uniform; a gymslip (pinafore) with a square neck and pleated skirt, navy and cream blouse and a felt hat with a ribbon. She recounted that each year after summer break every class had to kneel down and Miss Benson, who was a strong character and didn’t accept any messing about, would come with a tape measure to ensure that their skirts were 3” from the floor. If it was any more or any less, they were sent home with a note for their mothers! In the summer they got to wear a blue cotton dress with cream collar and cuffs and a straw hat. Their hats were secured with hat pins and Miss Benson used to say, “the School reputation belongs to you, put your hat on properly!” Eileen remembers the war having a big impact on both School and home life. During their Domestic Science lessons, they could only watch the teacher demonstrate how to cook as the rations were so limited that food wasn’t available to bring into school. Eileen also told me that they used to have laundry lessons aged 11. They had to bring a handkerchief into school and were taught how to launder it. Eileen’s dad found this amusing as Eileen was already adept at doing the family laundry, as she very sadly lost her mum to encephalitis following a summer holiday in Bridlington and had stepped into the role of looking after her family.

Eileen also remembered the gas mask drill every morning. Any girl who hadn’t got theirs with them was sent home to get it. Every Tuesday, they had to practise wearing it. During a History exam, the sirens were sounded and the students were instructed to “stand and not speak and proceed to the cellar and stay there!” By the side of each classroom door was a notice with two 5” circles on it and these determined which cellar they were to go to should the siren sound. All the central heating pipes were housed in the cellars and Eileen and her friends used to think that if a bomb did drop, they would drown when all the pipes burst! Eileen and her friends were often frightened to go down there but had no choice. Eileen remembers the School being used as a hospital and how iron railings were taken from the perimeter of their homes to make ammunition. She remembers the types of shelter, the Anderson shelter which was a small prefabricated type, often at the bottom of the garden and then in 1941 the introduction of the Morrison shelter. The latter was box-shaped, made of a steel frame and top with mesh sides and was kept inside the house. Eileen slept in it, played in it and ate in it and many people were saved from falling masonry and flying rubble by being inside them. She also recalls the narrow street behind school being used on a daily basis to teach new recruits aged 16 and 17 how to march. Eileen told me that they weren’t allowed to mix with the boys at QEGS until they were in “Higher Six”. They didn’t play “boys’ sports”at all; it was mostly hockey and she remembers how bleak it was walking all the way to the fields to play. Her favourite subject was Maths and her teacher Miss Frampton was very kind to her, taking her under her wing when her mother died. The School day began at 9am prompt and lunch was at 12noon. Eileen and many of her friends walked home for lunch and then back again for a 1.30pm start. The school day ended at 4pm. Lizzie Hulme, Development Officer

HEAD GIRL REVIEW: ELSPETH LEE Having walked the halls of Wakefield Girls’ High since I was three years old, it was a genuine honour to be appointed Head Girl 2018/19. With this role come a lot of challenges and responsibilities, and I have welcomed them with open arms. I am very lucky to work with a like-minded Deputy Head Girl, Emma Copley, and a hard-working Senior Prefect team.

SCHOOL NEWS

The school calendar is always full of interesting and exciting activities. Notable roles I have enjoyed during my term include; Speech Day, parents’ evenings, the carol service and the famous Christmas Revue. The Christmas Revue is an end of term performance written and performed by Year 13. This year the plot focussed on a Freaky Friday theme, in which Ms Boyes cast a spell on four Year 13s and four teachers. They swapped bodies for the day, and chaos inevitably ensued! The girls and teachers had to work together to overcome challenges, reverse the spell and understand the true meaning of Christmas! I possess a strong sense of pride in WGHS and believe that it is a privilege to attend such a wonderful school. Therefore, my favourite event this year has been the Open Morning, in October. This allowed me to meet the next generation of High School Girls and showcase the School in all of its glory.

2018/19 Head Girl Elspeth Lee & Deputy Head Girl Emma Copley

This year has presented many opportunities for me to work with girls of all ages and staff from all disciplines, and I have loved every minute. Furthermore, I have particularly enjoyed welcoming, and working with our new Head, Ms Boyes. I cherish and appreciate the sense of community that exists at the High School, and would like to thank everyone for their support through what has been a very busy year. There is a definite feeling of sadness as my time here draws to a close, but the phrase “Once a High School Girl, always a High School Girl” resonates louder than ever. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for the School, and I hope to stay in touch.

We are pleased to share with you the new Head Girl Team for the coming academic year. Head Girl: Sangeeta Unnikrishnan Deputy Head Girl: Rebecca Coe

JUNIOR SCHOOL SPEECH DAY Abby Bell (OG, 2012) was invited to be Guest Speaker at the WGHS Junior School Speech Day and she completely captivated the audience with her story of determination, self-doubt and success.

Having never had a girl follow this route before, school did not know how she should apply. However, Abby was delighted and surprised when the next day her Sixth Form teacher told her that she had done some research and provided her with the application process to follow. Abby remembers her interview with the armed forces in Leeds, but was still a little bit shocked when she had to undertake basic military training before she could start her music studies! Abby has played venues large and small and her enjoyment at playing and representing her country around the world was

evident. She shared with her audience that her most poignant moment was playing in the Falklands Islands, as this was where her father had fought during the Falklands War.

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Whilst music and playing her three instruments – saxophone, flute and piccolo was her passion, she explained that she chose not to go down the traditional route of studying music at university. Instead she decided to apply to join the Royal Marines Band Service.

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14 B EXAM

SUCCESS 2018

It has been another great year for WGHS with success in both GCSE and A Level results.

A LEVEL Grades A*-A

GCSE

33%

Grade 9-8

Grades A*-B

65%

40%

Grades 9-7

Grades A*-C

64%

86%

Grades A*-E

99%

0%

25%

50%

75%

Grades 9-5

100%

93%

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

WHAT BEING HEAD GIRL MEANS TO ME When Rosa Ribeiro and I were elected as Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl in the Summer Term I was so excited for the term ahead. I was very pleased that the teachers and my friends in Year 5 and Year 6 had voted for me. I was very happy that I had been chosen for that role and I couldn’t wait for my first assignment. As Head Girl I have to make sure that the other monitors have done their jobs which helps School to run efficiently. I like to set I was really amazed and pleased to receive the Head Girl’s medal and was proud to be selected as a role model for the School. I was voted for by the teachers and girls in Year 5 and Year 6. My friend Alice McKinlay-Smith was elected Deputy Head Girl and we worked really well together. As Head Girl I have helped out in assemblies and shown lots of people around the School on Open Morning. I play with Year 3 girls and help them get involved in different games. I have written thank you letters and I have given out thank you gifts to the staff at Blencathra and the Verse Speaking judges on behalf of everyone.

a good example and be a good role model around school. I am a good friend in the playground and make sure everyone has someone to play with. I represent everyone so I have been busy welcoming people to School events and thanking people for their help in School on behalf of all of us. I am proud that I have played a special part in school life. Lucia Partridge 6AMW

My favourite part was going to see the Mayor of Wakefield with the School Council and learning about how council is set up and all the different outfits the mayor has to wear. We all asked some interesting questions and learnt a lot about what a mayor does and how important his job is. It helped me learn about working with others. I have enjoyed being Head Girl and helping others and I am very grateful for this opportunity. Harriet Randall 6AMW

It was a fabulous honour to be elected as Head Girl by girls in Year 5 and Year 6 and by the teachers. I had an amazing Deputy Head, Abbi Riddiough. I thought Abbi and I were a good team. It felt special to represent WGHS Junior School showing the younger girls how to behave and be a good friend to others. I tried my best every day to be smart and set a good example. It was an amazing experience showing the governors and visitors round the School and answering the questions that they had. Abbi

and I also sold poppies for Remembrance Day. I loved it when I welcomed everyone at the Christmas Concert for Wakefield Hospice in the Cathedral. I also enjoyed helping Mrs Wimbush in the Y5/Y6 assemblies. We have an amazing school with so many opportunities. I was really proud that I was the first girl in the year to be Head Girl. In Year 6 it is everybody’s dream to do this. Nancy Tidy 6JB

KATHERINE KINGSWELL AWARD FOR TRAVEL It’s strange to be writing this as an Old Girl as it feels like yesterday that Class of 2013 had their Leavers’ Assembly and May Ball, but here goes… On completion of my time at WGHS, I came to University College London to study Medicine. The past six years have been enjoyable yet challenging. Remarkably, time has flown by and already I find myself at the end of university, hoping to pursue a career in Anaesthetics with Medical Education. At UCL, medical students undertake an elective in their final year – a compulsory placement at a chosen location, often abroad. With the help of the Katherine Kingswell Award, I was able to travel to University Malaya Medical Centre, a teaching hospital located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I spent six weeks under Professor Marzida, who is the Head Anaesthetist. There, I found myself splitting my time between the operating theatre, intensive care and outpatient clinics, developing a deeper understanding of perioperative medicine. This experience was invaluable both professionally and personally, giving me the opportunity to immerse myself in the culture of a country so different to our own. I am grateful to the Foundation for granting me this award. Wakefield Girls’ has helped me in less obvious ways too: allowing me to establish a solid work ethic and motivating me to strive for the best – shout out to Dr Korosi and Mrs Loftus for their support during school and the UCAS process. I am proud to share I will be graduating with Distinction next month. Moving forwards, I will be starting work as a Junior Doctor from August. Wish me luck! If you have any questions about anything, such as medical school applications or life as a medical student, please do not hesitate to contact me at aayushigupta@hotmail.com.

EDITOR’S NOTE Former Headmistress, Mrs Kingswell (1933–49), generously provided the Katherine Kingswell Award for Travel. The award is for the provision of a grant to help an Old Girl or member of the Sixth Form to undertake a special journey abroad. Application is competitive. For further information, please email cworsley@wghsss.org.uk

Aayushi Gupta (OG, 2013)

We were delighted to welcome Nichi Hodgson (OG, 2002) as the guest speaker at the WGHS PTA Ladies’ Lunch in June this year. Organised annually by volunteers from the WGHS PTA, the event is a mainstay of the School Events Calendar. Nichi, who travelled from London for the occasion, captivated her audience with a candid, interesting and informative account of her work as an author and leading journalistic voice on the topics of civil liberties, censorship issues, sex and the law and gender politics. Charity Donations at the Ladies' Lunch reached £1,000 as everyone gave generously to Nichi's chosen charity Brain Tumour Research UK in honour of Nichi's friend and fellow Old Girl Lydia Carfrae who is battling the disease. Lydia's family were also at the lunch.

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OG NICHI HODGSON – LADIES’ LUNCH GUEST SPEAKER

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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

Oxbridge Offers Back row: Emily Smith, Emma Brightman, Francoise Nel. Front row: Francesca Geldard, Katy Willard, Sabire Krasniqi.

WGHS Cantabile perform with BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

Tea and cakes for girls during Wellbeing Week.

WGHS beat both QEGS and Silcoates recently in a Geographical Association WorldWise quiz!

Students received DofE Gold Awards at Buckingham Palace

This year we celebrated 140 years of WGHS at Founders’ Day in September at Wakefield Cathedral.

Classics students travelled to the Bay of Naples over half term, visiting Pompeii & Herculaneum, the villa at Oplontis, alongside some tourist shopping and sampling Italian gelato and proper pizza!

WGHS PTA Quiz Night was a great success with over 100 children, parents, grandparents and teachers all vying to be crowned winner. Over ÂŁ400 was raised on the night to help fund resources for girls to use during break and lunchtimes.

WGSF String Quartet won the 18 & Under String Group Class at Rothwell Music Festival 2019.

The High School’s charity endeavours have continued in earnest this year raising money for organisations such as Lepra, Teenage Cancer Trust and The Penny Appeal Charity.

School Council

visit the Mayor

Students from Year 10 achieved first place in the Rotary Technology Tournament in March. They created an advertising board with a flashing beacon on top.

School of Rock a sell-out on all three nights!

saw visitors from ginning of March be e e th at k ee to girls about th Careers W School and talk to in e e. m av co le s when they all industrie ailable to them opportunities av

Years 7 and 8 enjoyed taking part in Well Being dance sessions, led by Chloe Murray (OG, 2012)

International Netball player Sasha Corbin coaches girls School celebrates World Book Day

WGHS In Touch Issue 5

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MR COLLETT RETIRES AFTER ALMOST 33 YEARS AS HEAD OF PHYSICS Dave Collett led the Physics Department for almost 33 years, having been the last appointment of Miss Hand prior to starting at WGHS in January 1987. He arrived from nearby Woodkirk School in Tingley and succeeded Eileen Gunn. During the years that followed, Dave has witnessed many changes and experienced numerous events whilst overseeing outstanding academic achievements, both inside and outside of the classroom. This ranges from securing superb examination results at GCSE and A Level to facilitating a visit to CERN in Geneva. In Dave’s own words, “one of the best things I have ever done!” During the early years at WGHS, “DSC” led a team of three, comprising himself, Jocelyn Kilsby and Di Burcher – and soon found himself working in a Portakabin as major building work started on STC in 1988. Although the building was ready for completion in 1989, subsequent changes took place with the personnel of the department as Jocelyn Kilsby moved to Design and Technology, with Richard Barrass and Delia Russell duly arriving to take the department to even greater heights under Dave’s stewardship. Further changes followed in more recent times with the arrival of the two Martins – Wilson and Durell. Throughout all of the changes, DSC remained the only constant and his commitment to the School and to the girls is to be admired by all. Dave always regarded the girls’ wellbeing as his top priority. He knew their abilities “inside out” and could reflect on their progress at any point in time without the need to refer to notes or markbooks. This was certainly the impression I built up of DSC over many years during the annual examination analysis meetings in the autumn term. Dave would arrive with an encyclopedia-type knowledge of each and every girl he taught without the need to refer to any type of data; a quality to be admired in terms of the pride he took in his role, his leadership and mentoring of the department and the professional care he displayed towards the girls. However, despite his numerous and long-standing achievements within the classroom, Dave was equally committed to life outside of the Physics department. He spent 10 years as an ISI Inspector and around 15 years as a key mentor of the timetabling team, not forgeting his role as co-architect of the SPLATS programme he helped set up with former WGHS Junior School colleague Patrick Ganley, once again displaying his commitment to supporting girls

GOODBYE TO MR SHAW

in science. As well as being a regular attendee at alumnae events, Dave also helped facilitate lectures and presentations by former US astronauts Al Bean, Eileen Collins and Scott Altman. It was magical and almost surreal to see these pioneers grace the corridors of WGHS and thanks in no small part to DSC! So after more than three decades, what does the future hold? Dave is looking forward to spending more time with his family – his wife Diane, son James and daughter Susie – as well as watching more football and rugby league, courtesy of Tottenham Hotspur and Featherstone Rovers respectively. In the summer months this will be supplemented by a regular cricket “diet” involving both Yorkshire and England. He also plans to devote more time to the church, including a planned trip to Malawi in the autumn. No doubt he will miss the girls, his colleagues, especially those in STC, and WGHS life generally, but he will “stay well clear of meetings, INSET days and getting up early...!!!” WGHS has been a major part of Dave Collett’s life and will probably continue as such both overtly, when he meets Old Girls at alumnae events, and covertly when he reflects on a great educational experience. In DSC’s own words, “I think I have had the best time anyone could have. I couldn’t think of a more fulfilling career than teaching Physics here for over 30 years.” by David Eggleston, Deputy Head

Saying goodbye to Alan feels like the end of an era at WGHS. Since he joined us in 1994, his name has been synonymous with the History department and we will miss his enthusiasm and powerful subject knowledge.

produced and stage-managed school plays and run School badminton programmes, as well as editing the School Magazine and running debating societies. His recommendation from QEGS was wholehearted: it was felt that he would bring “flair” to the role of Head of History. Indeed, it is this flair that is what we will most remember in Alan.

Alan’s teaching career wasn’t always in History, however. Working initially in Newcastle and Pocklington, Alan joined us in 1994 from QEGS, the school where he had completed his teaching practice in 1980. The Head of History at the time, Neal Rigby, reports that he was delighted to employ Alan. At the time of applying to WGHS, he was Head of Politics and prior to that Head of Drama at Pocklington School. He has variously been a careers advisor,

In his letter of application it is clear that History is Alan’s greatest love. Alan talks about presenting History in an exciting and lively way, to provide motivation to students. His theatrical background is evident in his lessons and anyone who has either been taught by him, or seen him teach, will have benefitted from his enormous skill in this area. Alan’s charisma in the classroom is legendary. He has made History popular at WGHS; his desire for everyone to

access and enjoy the subject is clear as soon as you walk through his classroom door. Alan has played a huge role in the extracurricular life of the school and has run so many trips both near and far, that it’s difficult to remember them all. Hardwick Hall, Buckingham Palace, Versailles, Berlin, Madrid, Amsterdam, Boston, Russia are just some of the destinations he’s taken our students to over the years that he’s been here. He loves travel and wants our girls to experience the treasures the world has to offer. Alan is a truly inspirational teacher. As a visitor to his classroom, you never know who you will meet next: Marie Antoinette (complete with headscarf and falsetto) or Margaret of Anjou could easily be behind the door, as could a host of other historical figures. The War of the Roses has been turned into a weekly soap opera, with Alan playing all the parts to open-mouthed students. Colleagues always know when this is happening because of the unusual amount of noise coming from Room 24. It’s not just his classroom that witnesses historical re-enactment, either; Jubilee Hall has hosted the murder of the entire Russian Royal Family many times. Children come away from Alan’s classroom excited and eager for more, and when Old Girls come back, there is always a story which involves Alan on top of a desk, re-enacting something heroic in his own unique way. Alan’s colleagues talk about his tremendous subject knowledge and capacity for learning, referring to his intellect and memory with great admiration. He is a keen linguist, speaking both French and Italian, most recently going to night classes to learn Swedish, apparently inspired by his enthusiasm for Nordic Noir. He knows his subject rigorously and properly and is especially expert on the subject of monarchy – across the globe, not just in the UK. There is no possibility of not doing your homework as a member of staff with Alan around; he will find you out if you try to wing it. He is serious about his subject and he loves it, expecting the same from his colleagues. He is a unique Head of Department, allowing his

colleagues to flourish and giving them a clear stake in what they are doing. He treats them like professionals and they rise to it. They describe him as friendly, warm, thoughtful and generous: a real gentleman. WGHS wishes you good luck and good health Alan. We hope that you, Barbara, Sophie, Flora and Rory enjoy many future happy times both here and in Italy. Your knowledge, flamboyance, your style (and your shirts) will be missed. by Sarah Loftus, Deputy Head

DR WALKER GORE SPEECH DAY GUEST SPEAKER We were honoured to have Dr Clare Walker Gore (OG, 2007) in School sharing her memories of School and how her experiences shaped her future career. Whilst she said that she was feeling “a little intimidated” about being in front of such an audience – especially as some of her old teachers were there ­– she went on to give a thought-provoking, inspiring and memorable speech.

Her lasting memory from her time at WGHS is of the library, being a still, hushed, silent place where anything can happen. The library to Clare was a place of boundless possibilities. Her memories were very evocative – explaining that she would see the dust particles falling in the sunlight coming through the windows, as she read the books and discovered her passion for storytelling. It was in the library that she realised that it was possible to make a living studying books. Clare shared with the girls her insight that “You should find work

that you love, doing what you love. Pursue your passions; find your version of my library. Learn to overcome obstacles in life – the metaphorical or literal stairs.” She went on to say that there is so much for the girls to celebrate and look forward to and she encouraged the girls to build the life that they want and to find their own library.

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Being a wheelchair user, Clare spent much of her time in the library, when she was unable to attend lessons. Stairs were difficult for her and were her “obstacle”.

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MR MEREDITH TAKES HIS BATON TO CHINA Mr Meredith, Director of Music at WGHS, travelled to China to conduct an orchestra made up of 84 students from various schools around Asia. The piece he chose for them to perform was At the Castle Gate by Sibelius, the theme tune for BBC programme The Sky at Night. Once he’d recovered from his jet lag and after three days of rehearsals they performed together in the beautiful Concert Hall of the Forbidden City, which has a capacity of 1,400. This was a challenge for Mr Meredith, particularly given he couldn’t speak the language, however, as he so poignantly pointed out, music is an international language and the final performance was a credit to him and the musicians involved. Here he recounts his trip...

I was contacted earlier in the year by a former colleague, Mark Armstrong, now Head of Performing Arts at the Western Academy of Beijing, suggesting I might like to work as a guest director on a forthcoming APAC (Asian Pacific Activities Conference) his school was hosting in November. What an opportunity! Although daunted by the prospect of long-haul international travel and awestruck by the calibre of past orchestral directors, a combination of Mrs Tingle’s ‘Challenge Yourself’ assemblies, lots of experience working with local and school ensembles and the encouragement of both family and WGHS SLT, encouraged me to take up the challenge. The APAC circuit is very extensive – sport and music feature prominently, but drama, dance and are are also celebrated. Essentially the events offer pupils from international schools in the region an opportunity to meet up at a host school and work together for a few days towards an appropriate “end product” (in my case a string orchestra concert). My orchestra was made up of 84 grade 10, 11 and 12 pupils (Years 11–13). The pupils, roughly six from each school, flew in on Wednesday 14th from other parts of China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam to rehearse for three days before we put on our concert. By coincidence another international school in Beijing was also hosting an orchestral conference and the two schools had hired the prestigious Concert Hall of the Forbidden City for their final event. Two chaperones (often the string directors from the guest schools) accompanied the pupils, overseeing their welfare and running sectional rehearsals. The pupils stayed with host families in Beijing (part of signing up to go on an event was an

agreement that you would act as a host when an APAC event was being hosted by your school). The pupils were polite, had worked very hard at the repertoire I had supplied them with in June, and were responsive to ideas that came up in rehearsals. The supportiveness of the chaperone-directors and the detailed organisation of the accommodation and travel for the event were terrific – the whole school was bussed to the concert hall for the final event which was addressed by the principals of both schools. To offset the effects of jet lag (Beijing is 8h ahead of UK time) the project had built in a “cushion” of a day’s sightseeing at each end of the project, so I was able to visit the Great Wall and walk around Tiananmen Square and Zhongshan park. Two other guest directors were involved in the final concert: Natalia Luis Bassa, a Venezuelan conductor living, bizarrely, in Huddersfield and Sam Wu, an alumnus of one of the Chinese international schools, currently studying at the Juilliard School in New York, who conducted a specially composed piece for the combined string orchestras (140-odd musicians). I have been completely enthused by the experience of participating in this event. The string directors I talked to spoke of the esteem in which APAC was held, particularly in the US, and the kudos attached to schools who supplied pupils and directors for the conferences. It was a real challenge for me (particularly due to the time difference!) but I managed to be back in school the day after I got back and hope that the members of my classes and ensembles will feel the benefit of my experiences.

WGHS TIMELINE

1878 Wentworth House purchased by the Governors of Wakefield Grammar School for £8,000. Miss Ellen Allen appointed its first Headmistress. Fees £10.00 pa. School opens 16 September 1878 with 58 pupils ranging in age from 8–17, three Form Mistresses and Visiting Teachers. School hours 9–1.30. Each lesson lasting 50 minutes with a break of 20 minutes between the third and fourth lessons for lunch and recreation. Subjects taught: Holy Scripture, English Literature and Grammar, English History, Geography, Arithmetic, Algebra, Euclid, French, German, Music, Drawing and Sewing. Subjects taught in the afternoon were Music, Drawing and Sewing with voluntary preparation from 3pm to 4.30pm in a room presided over by a Mistress and where silence was enforced. No school uniform but, “dark skirts and coloured blouses – flannel or flannelette in winter, with stiff linen collars and silk ties, and, in summer, voile or muslin finished off with high, well-boned necks and lace frills” (Mary Stollard WGHS Magazine 1977.

1881 The Preparatory School opens. V form added.

1882 157 pupils on the register. The first 10 Foundation Scholars enter the School. The original scheme was that parents should pay half the fees but Mr Richard Holdsworth J.P. of Sandal offered to pay the remainder of the fees to give them completely free places.

1888 First Speech Day held in the gymnasium.

1891 Old Girls’ Association founded.

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Miss Ellen Allen, Headmistress.

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1894 139 girls on the School Roll including three Boarders. Resignation of Miss Allen (after 16 years) “As a first ‘headmistress’ to a small girl of ten she was rather an awesome person, partly because of her great height; she seemed to sweep along the corridors in a formidable way, but she was also most kind and considerate.” Appointment of Miss Gertrude McCroben, WGHS’ second Headmistress. Miss Gertrude McCroben, Headmistress

School Motto “Each for all, and all for God”, the design suggested by Katherine Howard Hall and chosen from suggestions from a number of girls. (She also designed a pattern of ropes and laurel leaves which for many years was the School badge.) ‘Forty Years On’ adopted as the School Song.

1895 First School Magazine (with the Motto and Badge on the cover).

1897 The first Open Day – parents and friends invited to see the girls’ work and parents invited into lessons.

1902 Cricket introduced. First Head Girl appointed. Beatrice Miles, “best fitted on account of her excellent moral influence and her schoolwork.”

1909 12 November: Formal opening of the new Games Fields and extensions of School buildings. New playing fields opened by Lord Kinnaird, President of the Football Association, comprising hockey and lacrosse pitches, asphalt and grass tennis courts, a cricket pitch and a croquet lawn and the new buildings including new Art Room, Lecture Theatre, Music Rooms and two new classrooms opened by Sir James Crichton Brown.

1917 April: The War Office takes over the School for use as an Auxiliary Hospital. Junior forms are relocated to 8 St John’s North, the Preparatory Department to 4 St John’s Square. The Senior and Middle forms use the Technical and Art School and a marquee on the games field. The Grammar School allowed the girls to use the Gymnasium. The new hospital was named The St John’s Auxiliary Military Hospital, Wentworth House.

The School in use as an Auxillary Hospital.

The magazine published in 1917 describes the year as “a most momentous and eventful one in the history of the School… Although we are now scattered to the four winds of Wakefield, we remain more than ever perhaps, one united whole.”

1920 Gertrude McCroben retires (after 26 years). Miss Mildred E Martin, Headmistress of Normanton High School, appointed as WGHS’ third Headmistress.

1927

Miss M A Knott, Headmistress

October: Princess Mary lays the foundation stone for the Jubilee Hall.

1933 Miss Martin retires (after 13 years). “There was an adventure working for Miss Martin; she frequently asked for the moon, and occasionally got it.” Appointment of Miss Katherine E Maris as Headmistress.

1937 Diamond Jubilee celebrated. Building of the Jubilee Hall completed.

1949 Mrs Katherine E Kingswell (Maris) retires and becomes a Governor. Miss M A Knott appointed.

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Miss Mildred E Martin, Headmistress

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1953 New science block opened by Dame Myra Curtis, principal of Newnham College, Cambridge.

1958 Preparatory School move into Sotterley House and Junior forms move into the Willows.

1963 Successful application to the College of Arms for the grant of Armorial Bearings.

1965 St John’s House purchased. The house was to be used as buildings for the Junior School and the part of the Willows used by Junior forms and Sotterley House used by the Preparatory department were vacated for use as classrooms and Sixth Form rooms.

1973 VI Upper move into Sotterley House, two new common rooms, two kitchens and a quiet study room. Miss Knott retires (parents present her with a sculpture by Barbara Hepworth entitled Quiet Form). Miss Yvonne Hand (who had taught at the school for eleven years and had been Deputy Headmistress since 1971) becomes Headmistress.

1976 The change from Direct Grant to fully Independent status.

1987 Miss Hand retires. Miss Yvonne Hand, Headmistress

Mrs Patricia (Pat) A Langham appointed as Headmistress.

1996 Hartley Pavilion and new Sports and Assembly Hall open.

2005 Opening of the Fielding Suite by Bridget Jones author and Old Girl Helen Fielding.

2009 Mrs Langham retires. Mrs Gillian Wallwork appointed Headmistress.

2015 Mrs Wallwork retires. Mrs Nina Gunson (OG) appointed Head.

2016 Wakefield Civic Society blue plaque bestowed on Wentworth House celebrating its construction in 1803 and conversion to a school in 1878. It also marks the building’s use as St John’s Auxiliary Hospital during the First World War.

2018 The Foundation purchases the former Clayton Hospital site. Ms Heidi-Jane Boyes appointed Head.

2019

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Wakefield Civic Society blue plaque bestowed at Wakefield Girls’ High School commemorating former Headmistress Gertrude McCroben.

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SUMMER REUNION The sun was out on Saturday 22 June for our fifth annual reunion. With the Reunion String Quartet playing beautifully in the background as everyone arrived and with the fizz flowing, it was clear it was going to be a good afternoon. Many Old Girls hadn’t seen each other since they left the School and it was interesting to hear their memories of who was the mischievous one, the quiet one and the studious one; so many “you’ve not changed a bit” comments filled the air! Our oldest Old Girl, Wendy Barker, was from the Class of 1943 and we were pleased to see a spread of years through to the Class of 2011. The outgoing Head Girl team also enjoyed their first Summer Reunion. After a welcome by Head, Heidi-Jayne Boyes, and Grace by Deputy Head, David Eggleston, everyone enjoyed a lovely lunch of melon & summer fruits, chicken, veg and tossed salad and lime and chocolate cheesecake, provided by County Caterers. Speeches after lunch were given by the Head and Emma Copley, Deputy Head Girl, who shared her happy memories of her time at school including how thankful she was not to have endured Cheese Slop! The day concluded with our outgoing Head Girl Team showing Old Girls around their old School. Thank you to everyone who came this year, particularly those of you who travelled from overseas and down South. We do hope you will join us again soon.

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OG ACHIEVEMENTS AMANDA MACKENZIE RECEIVES HONORARY DOCTORATE Amanda Mackenzie (OG, 1982), above, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters for her services to business by the University of Winchester. Amanda is Chief Executive of Business in the Community, one of The Prince of Wales’ not-for-profit organisations. It is a business-led membership organisation made up of progressive businesses who understand that the prosperity of business and society are mutually dependent. Amanda is also Vice-Chair of our Clayton Campaign Fundraising Committee.

NATALIE WRIGHT SCOOPS FINANCIAL AWARD Natalie Wright (OG, 2001) was delighted to be awarded Chartered Financial Planner of the Year at the Personal Finance Society Awards in November, having been a finalist in 2016 and 2017. The PFS awards recognise those committed to high professional standards and go through a rigorous threestage judging process. She is also named in City Wire’s Top 35 Under 35 list for the last three years. Natalie completed her A Levels at WGHS but decided to defer her university place until she decided what she wanted to do. She was hired by a local financial advisory firm in Wakefield as an assistant, but after three months was asked to take some financial planning exams. She later moved to a larger firm to gain more experience and take further exams, spending six years as a paraplanner before moving to a senior role at Tilney. She now works for Mazars, one of the UK’s largest wealth management firms. During her five years there she has had a baby and progressed from Manager to Senior Manager to Director. She mentors two female colleagues, is a blogger for a working parents’ magazine (MMB) and is an ambassador for the Chartered Insurance Institute, tasked with getting more women into the profession. Natalie is something of an anomaly in her profession and she puts a huge part of her success down to the grounding and education she received at WGHS.

ATTENDING THE PRESTIGIOUS NORLAND COLLEGE Attending Norland College has been the most surreal yet amazing experience, and it’s a place unlike any other. My name is Evangeline, I attended Wakefield Girls’ High School from the age of four until I graduated in 2016 and I am a third year student at Norland College. Norland specialises in Early Years, meaning they only do one course: a BA (Hons) in Early Years Learning and Development, with a special Nanny diploma on the side. Think Mary Poppins if she went to university! I first learned about Norland when I told my mum I loved working with children, but didn’t want to be a teacher. At the time that seemed like my only option, but it wasn’t the right path for me. My mum told me about this very prestigious place where I could learn to be a nanny, and I replied “yes but Mum I want a real degree”. It turned out it was a real university degree, but you’re also taught self-defence, first aid, how to cook, how to sew and change nappies, and even evasive driving just in case you’re being chased by paparazzi in extreme weather conditions. Above all else, Norland teaches you how to provide the best care for children, because every child deserves the best. So that sealed it for me; I knew what I wanted to do once I left school. I told my Head of Sixth Form, Mrs. Preston, all about my dream and

she went straight home that night and researched everything she needed to know about the application process. It’s done through UCAS, just like any other university, so I had to write a personal statement then prepare for a two-step interview process. All my teachers supported my application in one way or another, and everyone held their breath as we awaited that dreaded email from UCAS stating “there’s been a change in your application”. I had got in! It was the only acceptable time to interrupt one of Mrs. Preston’s lessons, but I took a risk and popped my head round the door as soon as I found out. There may have been some excited screaming! Other teachers may also have screamed when they found out, but I’ll protect their stoic reputation. Wakefield Girls’ High School gave me all the skills I needed to go to Norland, without even realising it. I’m independent, strongminded, patient and creative, just to list a few. The support received by many of the staff helped me greatly on my way and I’m so thankful to have had such a great team boosting me. I think I would have had that no matter what I chose to do following school. Lots of things have changed since I came to Norland; it’s been a crazy whirlwind of experiences I wouldn’t have had anywhere else, especially if I hadn’t had WGHS behind me. But I still burn custard and ruin pans, just like I used to in Willows, so some things never change! Evangeline Charalambous (OG, 2016)

KIRSTY LOVEDAY IS ‘WOMAN OF THE YEAR’ AT DRINKS BUSINESS AWARDS

In 2016 she was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) after her company reached an annual turnover of around £6m. This year, following another incredibly impressive 12 months, including launching the pioneering Love Well initiative to promote a happy and healthy hospitality industry, she has been awarded Woman of the Year at the Drinks Business Awards 2019.

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In 2007, Kirsty Loveday founded Love Drinks, a fully independent marketing and distribution company offering some of the best drinks in the industry with a portfolio of craft-distilled or familyowned brands that have a rich provenance, heritage or history.

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CLAIRE YOUNG JOINS THE SOCIETY OF LEADERSHIP FELLOWS Claire Young (OG, 1997), consultant, entrepreneur and founder of School Speakers, the UK’s number one speaker agency working with schools, colleges and universities, has been invited to join the prestigious Society of Leadership Fellows, which was started by the Duke of Edinburgh over 50 years ago and is by invitation only. The Society consists of 250 Fellows who are seen as strong leaders in their field and who are making a positive impact in the community.

All meetings are held at Windsor Castle and they bring together leaders from all different industries to share ideas and best practice with the aim of becoming better leaders. Claire states, “It is a really interesting and rewarding networking group to be part of in terms of the content, the people and the new leadership skills I have acquired!” Claire is very active in the business and local community and is heading up our Parents Fundraising Team for our Clayton Campaign.

I DIDN’T GO TO UNIVERSITY answered all my questions, whether they were about a gap year or applying for a job. They also helped me through the process of updating my CV and applying for jobs. I tried my best during my A Levels, but they weren’t meant to be. At the time I was upset but in all fairness it’s turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Not going to university has been one of the best decisions I ever made. I came to realise, not long after starting my A Levels, that there was little point in going to university if it wasn’t what I really wanted to do. I didn’t want to bow to peer pressure or to do what was expected of me if it wasn’t the best decision for me and my future. I spoke to my parents, teachers and friends about it and decided that I wouldn’t apply. It was a scary decision to make when the majority of my year were applying, but it was the right decision for me. My parents, teachers and friends did nothing but support me through this process and offered great advice. My teachers helped open my eyes to the many opportunities out there and

I was unsure whether to treat this year as a gap year and travel, but in the end I felt my immediate future would be best served by getting a job. On 5 September I started work at Ramsdens Solicitors as a Legal Secretary. From there my confidence has done nothing but grow and it really has made me realise that there are so many ways to carve a career without going to university. I’m earning money and getting fantastic work experience whilst exploring the many opportunities in front of me, including the potential to gain formal qualifications to become a Legal Executive, and beyond. Looking back to this time two years ago, I never thought I would be in this position. At the start of Sixth Form I felt like university was the only way to go, but really it isn’t. University isn’t for everyone and right now, it’s not for me. Charlotte Eastwood (OG, 2018)

I CHANGED CAREER After A Levels I spent a long summer working as an au pair in Monaco for a WGHS Old Girl looking after her children. I then started my degree in the Business School at University of Northumbria; it was a very new administration degree with a Public Relations specialism and it didn’t even have honours status, but I was interested in Public Relations and I liked Newcastle. Having left University I pursued a career in PR and Marketing, working in-house with large organisations including Grant Thornton the chartered accountants, Littlewoods (now VERY) and Airbus. I then joined a PR Agency at Director level and successfully led a team working on a range of national accounts. The agency was part of Omnicom, the global marketing and communications group, so the role gave me a brilliant insight into the commercial reality of running an agency. I always thoroughly enjoyed my roles and benefitted hugely from the fantastic training and opportunities you gain from working in large organisations but I always knew that eventually I wanted to be my own boss. At the age of 34 I took a career break. I lived in Ibiza and I worked as a freelance Marketing and PR consultant for UK and Ibiza-based businesses for a year. In 2008 I returned to the UK and set up my own PR business, Judge UK Limited, from my spare bedroom at the height of the recession. I grew the business and teamed with a couple of former colleagues; we evolved and expanded and went on to be awarded UK’s Leading Small PR Agency by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. Within five years we had reached a substantial turnover with a strong profit margin. At the age of 40 I had my first child and I decided to retire from the business. My daughter is now almost six, and I consider myself extremely fortunate to have experienced a fulfilling career and to now have the opportunity of being a stay-at-home parent. Susanne Redmond (née Judge) (OG, 1991)

I vividly remember choosing my O Level option stream and being frustrated that I couldn’t do all three sciences and art. In the end, I chose the three sciences option because “you won’t find a career that combines science and art” ….

CHOCTAILS ANYONE?

Chocolate making was a part-time hobby that began in the early 1990s and became more serious in 2010. I’d discovered I had a nut intolerance, so whenever we were gifted a box of chocolates my husband Simon had to eat all the nutty ones and forego the ones he really liked. My weekends became taken up with making chocolate truffles that we would both enjoy: whisky, rum, Chambord, Baileys. I then got more ambitious and tried a strawberry and champagne truffle, at which point Simon changed my life completely with the question, “Could you put a cocktail flavour into chocolate?” That was how Choctails was born.

I gained confidence selling at regional farmers’ markets and events and by Christmas we had some local independent retailers stock our products. Initially I was trying to be all things to all people, but I gradually learned that just because people ask for it doesn’t mean they’re going to buy it. In 2013 we were approached by a branding agency who came up with our current brand and identity. We used that opportunity to consolidate our

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Having developed a range of flavours we were planning on making Choctails a part-time online business. However, in March 2012 I was offered voluntary redundancy from PwC and we decided to go for it. That was the leap of faith moment. It’s one thing being told by family and colleagues that you’ve got a great product, but quite different charging the public their hard-earned cash for it.

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32 range and simplify everything, whilst at the same time focussing on our core value. Making novelty chocolates for children wasn’t really speaking to our target audience. Nine months later we were being stocked in Selfridges and Harvey Nichols. Balancing home life and a home-based business is a challenge at times. There’s a lot of self-discipline needed so that you use the time effectively. A food-based business also carries the additional dimension of making sure food hygiene regulations are adhered to. For me, I always had to be ready to start production the minute the kids left for school and have everything cleared up in time for their return, using the latter part of the day for packing and wrapping, and admin. I’d leap on extra production opportunities as and when they came along. Trade fairs had given me limited success. In 2017 I thought I would give the Speciality and Fine Food Fair at Olympia one last go and that was when John Lewis first approached us. Within 12 months we were stocked in all 50 John Lewis stores across the UK and working harder than we ever thought possible. It’s great kudos to be on their shelves, but the downside is the margins. Supplying independents and smaller retailers is low-volume but high-margin, whereas high volume production invariably compromises either the profit margin or the quality of the product. We elected to go with the former, as we knew our regular customers wouldn’t be happy if we compromised on quality. Slowly but surely we’ve taken over every room in the house. What was once a dining room quickly became a chocolate store, and as the family grew up and moved out we’ve taken over spare bedrooms for packing and wrapping, and storage. Even the lounge became our chocolate bar packing station for a while last autumn. Making chocolate is a science. Fluctuations in air pressure, temperature and humidity can have a huge effect on the end product. It takes an understanding of crystal structures to get the shine and snap of the chocolate just right. The truffle centres need the right pH balance to prolong shelf life. Developing the flavour ideas and designing the final product, however, needs a creative touch. So now tell me you can’t find a career that combines science and art. Hilary Delamere (OG, 1987)

BURNOUT AND NEW BEGINNINGS I spent over 17 years working as a trend forecaster and journalist. I never set out to do that job but I did set out to follow what truly interested me. So, by way of a BA in Art History from the Courtauld Institute, an MA in Fashion Journalism from Central St. Martin’s and a whole load of work experience gigs and jobbing in retail to pay the bills, I ended up working with words, trends and tech. I specialised in developing consumer insight and content strategies for leading global businesses. I mainly worked for business-to-business digital companies including top trend forecasting and research agencies such as WGSN.com. I worked on the launch of an early e-commerce shopping site. I’ve been a freelance contributor for the likes of the Financial Times’ Style pages, The Independent, International Herald Tribune, British Vogue et al. I’ve written on topics including: the business of fashion; the latest tech and digital trends; future-gazing consumer predictions; the future of retailing; the latest cultural, design and arts insights; top travel and leisure directions; and new media and marketing trends. It’s a role that has taken me around the world, from São Paulo,

Singapore and Moscow to Miami, Austin, Tel Aviv and Las Vegas. Unofficially, this involved dancing to Boney M’s “Rasputin” on a table in a Moscow nightclub; being given a virtual makeover in the online world Second Life while fending off indecent digital proposals; trying to cut it in a “boy’s own” world of chinos, Swiss Army backpacks and check shirts at various North American tech conferences before “women in tech” became a thing; being covered in fake tan for The Sun; queueing until 3am in Texas rain nursing a pulled pork sandwich and a Coronarita just to see my ultimate film crush debut his latest arthouse flick; being allowed into one of Rio’s largest favelas to meet the talented women making the most beautiful clothing; getting lost photographing a cemetery in Buenos Aires; and having milk poured on my cornflakes by an immaculately turned-out waiter at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris. I ended up working on a new trend forecasting site called Stylus.com. On paper, it was my ideal job – plus shares. In reality, it was the ninth circle of hell. Part of it was circumstantial (horrible boss, poor management) and part of it was personal (waning confidence leading to imposter syndrome, inability to manage upwards, over-eagerness to please and a focus on work as a definition of success). Add to that a bout of ill health and unexplained infertility and – bingo! – I’d hit burnout. I left my job, and my career. It got messier before it got better, but the better bits involved moving to the ancient seaside town of Rye, East Sussex, and finally getting pregnant. Facing a long commute to London to work and a lack of enthusiasm for my previous career – plus a baby to work around – I had to make my own opportunity in Rye. I used a small but meaningful inheritance as the foundation for a business of my own. I opened a store. And then I opened a holiday let. The store, Marsha By The Sea, celebrates life on the shoreline – a place where I found beauty and peace. It offers womenswear, menswear, kidswear, beauty, fragrance, books, gifts and homewares – aimed at bringing a seaside state of mind into our customers’ everyday lives. I strive to make it as sustainable, ethical and environmentally-friendly possible. I love being my own boss. I love being creative on my own terms. I love sharing my joy at living beside the sea with our

customers. But it’s tough. And seriously, arse-clenchingly frightening. The buck stops with you. You wear many, many hats. You work seven days a week. Everyone else gets paid before you do. And you do this because you love what you do. You’re doing this for yourself, not to line someone else’s pockets. Bricks-and-mortar retailing is challenging to say the least right now, let alone being a small independent business in a seasonal seaside town with fluctuating footfall. So many customers come into our store and ask questions about my escape out of London, my work-life balance, life in a beautiful seaside town; these are questions I love answering but I always note that a lot of hard work and nerves of steel are involved. It’s a place where – like life in general, I suppose – you have to make your own opportunity. And to do that you have to be part of a wider community. Part of running a business here is helping to make sure we act as a community and shout about our lovely seaside town and get more visitors to come.

But I hope that I have created a unique proposition with Marsha By The Sea; a brand that offers a new kind of lifestyle appeal based on coastal creativity and community, as well as a model for nimble, multi-channel independent retail in a digital and environmentally aware world. Don’t get me wrong; we might not make it. It’s our second year of business and Brexit has cast a restrictive shadow over consumer spending. But if it all goes a bit Pete Tong, I know that I won’t have failed. I succeeded on so many levels. It just depends on what your definition of success is. To all you wonderful WGHS girls reading this, with your lives currently being defined by grades, achievements and acceptance, be sure to think carefully about what success means to you before you embark on your career. You will fail at some point – and you’ll be all the better for it. I promise you. Fiona Harkin (OG, 1993) marshabythesea.com

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LIFE AFTER THE COMMON ROOM SUSAN FOWLER

I began my career at the High School in 1973 and worked there either full-time or part-time, in the English Department, and later also as Head of General Studies, until 2009, when my husband and I both decided to take early retirement. We have had a wonderful retirement, keeping fit by walking and playing golf regularly, making the most of frequent fun family occasions with our two daughters and their husbands and thoroughly enjoying our new life as grandparents! We are fortunate in having many good friends around the world, including Canada and the USA, so we have been able to enjoy authentic travel experiences in many different locations. Another recent highlight was an amazing safari in South Africa, where we were privileged to experience awe-inspiring close contact with the African wildlife. I often think about my former pupils and to those of you who remember me, I hope that you are all successful in your chosen field and above all, enjoying good health and happiness.

DENISE ARMITAGE NEE HITCHINSON I was a History teacher at WGHS from 1968 to 2003. I live in Hepworth near Holmfirth and after retiring from WGHS, I volunteered for WRVS Meals on Wheels, Hepworth Village Volunteers and Hepworth RNLI Fundraising Committee. I was a magistrate for 10 years between 2006–16 and am still on the Charity Fundraising Committee. I am currently a weekly volunteer at Mossley Heritage Centre. Other activities to help keep me out of mischief include being a member of Huddersfield U3A Ladies’ Choir, Book (Gossip) Club, weekly walk (short) followed by lunch (long), gardening and a monthly lunch with former WGHS colleagues. All this seems to keep me nearly as busy as teaching did! With all best wishes from “Mrs A”

SUE HOTHAM I taught at WGHS from 1985 to 2017 and I’m just beginning my second year of retirement and am loving being free! I still live between Doncaster and Pontefract and particularly enjoy not having to face the drive to and from Wakefield. That said, I do miss School and teaching French, although I do still go in for EDGE on Thursdays, when I lead a papercraft session. I love having time to do all sorts of crafts, especially sewing and I can read or be in the garden for as long as I like without feeling guilty. It’s wonderful being able to go to France in term time and being able to stay there longer.

REBECCA HESMONDHALGH

I started teaching at Wakefield Girls’ High School as a newly Qualified Teacher of Art in September 1998. I worked alongside Rowena Gration, Head of Art until July 2009. I accepted a new role at Shelley College in Huddersfield in September 2009 as Head of Art, which enabled me to be closer to my young family in Holmfirth. I moved into the Leadership team at Shelley College in 2014, and now work across our family of eight primary & secondary schools as Director of School Improvement for Share Multi Academy Trust.

WGHS HALL OF FAME Phyllis Lett (1883–1962), (OG, 1900) Phyllis Lett achieved international distinction as a professional contralto singer and recording artist. She is pictured here in an autographed publicity photograph held in the WGSF Archives. Phyllis was born in Lincolnshire in 1883, but by 1891 her family was living in Wakefield and, like three of her four sisters, she attended WGHS. She left in April 1900 and later went on to study at the Royal College of Music in London, and in Paris. Phyllis retained close links with Wakefield and WGHS, an affection reflected in frequent visits and performances, and in the School’s award of Miss Phyllis Lett’s Music Medal. Her sister Hilda (WGHS 1895–99) studied the violin at the Guildhall School of Music and in St Petersburg. She often performed with Phyllis, both professionally and for charity, and returned frequently to Wakefield and WGHS.

After the war Phyllis consolidated her national and international reputation. Though live performances of music continued, radio and the gramophone were increasingly important and Phyllis embraced both. She married Charles Rupert de Burgh Ker in 1924. Charles had served as a Second Lieutenant in the Australian Imperial Force, both at Gallipoli and on the Western Front, where he won the MC. When the newly married couple moved to Australia in 1925 it was estimated that Phyllis’ farewell radio broadcast, provided by the BBC, attracted a domestic audience of ten million. Phyllis gave birth to a daughter, Patricia Elizabeth, in 1926, but continued with her singing career for a time, touring Australia and New Zealand and performing in support of charitable causes. She died on 1 June 1962 at Yea, Victoria, in Australia. Her sister Hilda had predeceased her, dying in Surrey in May 1941.

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1906 brought a professional landmark for Phyllis when she debuted as principal contralto at the Royal Albert Hall. Her subsequent career took her to most of the cities in Britain and to international success. She worked closely with the most distinguished musicians of the day, including Sir Edward Elgar and Sir Henry Wood, and was a major performer at the Proms in 1913, 1914 and 1915. During the Great War Phyllis supported the national effort in over 1,000 concerts, both at home and in France, often accompanied by, Hilda. When Wentworth House was taken into service as a War Hospital (1917–19) Phyllis and Hilda were amongst those who entertained the patients.

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Dame Anne Mueller (1930–2000), (OG, 1949) Dame Anne Elizabeth Mueller has been called “the most successful woman civil servant of her generation”. She was also a respected academic. Anne was born in Mumbai (formally Bombay), 15 October 1930. Her father, Herbert Constantin Mueller, was a German businessman and her English mother, Phoebe Ann (née Beavers), was a teacher. They had met and married in India. Before the Second World War broke out Anne was sent to England whilst her parents settled in Slovenia running a vineyard. She arrived at Wakefield Girls’ High School aged nine from her previous school in Abingdon, Berks. In the WGHS Accessions Register her guardians are named as Misses A M and H L Beavers of Barnsley – relatives of her mother. Anne was a bright and academic pupil, her poetry and French composition appearing in the 1947 edition of the Wakefield High School Magazine. This same magazine has a reference to her as a member of the Tea Committee for the sporting events. She was also a prominent member of the Debating Society. In 1948 Anne was Deputy Head Girl and won a State Scholarship to Somerville College, Oxford, where she was to read Philosophy, Politics and Economics. That year she was also chosen to represent British schoolchildren at an International High School Forum in New York, her selection was by a piece of written work and an interview. Her essay title being, “Is world government possible?” Anne came back to the School in April 1949 to talk about her three-month visit. She had stayed with American families and attended American schools and enjoyed many sightseeing trips. However the highlight of her stay was meeting President Truman at the White House in Washington. At Speech Day in 1949 she was singled out by the Mayor who congratulated her on her achievements. After graduating, Anne joined the Civil Service, entering the Ministry of Labour and National Service in 1953. She moved into the Cabinet Office in 1984 where she was responsible for the personal management side of the Civil Service. Her final job in Whitehall, from 1987 to 1990 was as Second Permanent Secretary at the Treasury. She married fellow civil servant James Hugh Robertson in 1958 but

Artwork by Daphne Todd the marriage was dissolved in 1978. In her late 50s she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease which greatly affected her physical mobility but she still had a very active and varied postWhitehall career. She devoted much of her time to higher education and in June 1991 she became the first Chancellor of the new De Montfort University and she travelled extensively supporting CARE International. She was also a director of BSkyB. Her colleague and friend Colette Bowe writes: “Anne was determined to lead her life as she wished in spite of her illness; when she could no longer drive, she took to a form of motorised chair, in which she whizzed, at some risk to pedestrians, around Notting Hill, parking it nonchalantly and usually illegally outside the restaurants she liked to visit. She did battle with the forces of bureaucracy to ensure that she, and others in her position, were treated with proper consideration. I could sometimes feel sorry for those on the receiving end; she always won.” Dame Anne died 8 July 2000 aged 69, of Parkinson’s disease.

LIVES REMEMBERED Pamela Collingwood, WGHS Junior Head (1962–1986) Miss Pamela Collingwood passed away last year at the age of 92. Miss Collingwood was Head of WGHS Junior School (1962–86). She played a key role in the development of the Junior School during her 24 years of headship, including the school’s relocation to its current site at St John’s House in 1967. She also helped celebrate the centenary of WGHS with Senior School Head, Miss Hand, in 1978. She will be remembered fondly by staff, governors and of course the pupils who attended the School during her tenure as Head.

Sadly, Constance Gilbey passed away in Pinderfields Hospital on 29 December 2018, aged 89. Constance was born in Wakefield and studied at WGHS. She was a longstanding teacher and senior manager in education, a magistrate and was active in church and voluntary groups in Wakefield. Constance was born in Wakefield where her father, George Gilbey was a well known local figure. She studied at Wakefield Girls’ High School and at Durham University where she graduated first in French and then as a teacher. She taught at Mundella Grammar School and Ackworth School before being

appointed senior mistress at Ripon Grammar School. After her early retirement in 1983 she moved back to Wakefield.

Constance Gilbey (OG, 1948)

Constance was appointed to the bench in 1959 and served as a magistrate for 40 years, retiring as chair of the Wakefield bench. For those services she was awarded an MBE in 2000. She was a loyal and active member of the United Reformed Church at Zion and later Flanshaw Chapels. She is survived by her five nephews and nieces, their children and grandchildren.

Margaret Bentham (OG, 1930)

Margaret Mawson was born on 29 July 1912 and attended school in Rothwell, before moving to WGHS aged seven. Whilst at WGHS she showed a marked ability in every type of art work and at the end of her schooling won a Junior Art Scholarship to Wakefield School of Art and Crafts. In 1933, she passed the board of examination in Drawing and in 1934 passed the examination in Industrial Design. Margaret secured a post in the paper pattern department at Lewis’s in Leeds, pending a role becoming available in the design department. She also had a part-time teaching position at Wakefield Art College in the evenings.

She went to live with her son and his wife when she reached 103 years of age as it was very difficult for her to look after herself. Her eyesight was deteriorating, she was suffering with arthritis in her hands, and it was a great disappointment to her that she could no longer draw. Margaret passed away on 12 April 2019 at the age of 106, leaving two sons and their wives, five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Iris Fozzard, born 1928, came to Wakefield Girls’ High School aged ten from Eastmoor Junior Council School. She was a County Scholar and left WGHS in July 1945. She sadly died in February 2019.

Iris Fozzard (OG, 1945)

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Margaret met her husband-to-be, John Bentham and they were married in 1941. She gave up pursuing her career to look after her children, Jeremy and Anthony, as most women did at that time. However, she still followed her love of painting and drawing, and attended art clubs and poetry groups. She was an enthusiastic reader, particularly of people and history. Margaret had a book of poems published in the 1980s mainly about her thoughts and her children and grandchildren. She continued her painting and poetry until she was over 100 years old.

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A GIFT THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE The WGHS Legacy Society is known as the 1878 Society. The 1878 Society was launched in 2016 to recognise those Old Girls and Friends who wish to help with the work of the Foundation by leaving a gift in their will to Wakefield Girls’ High School. The role of the 1878 Society is primarily to support the long-term financial security and development of WGHS and to help provide bursaries. We hope that in time, as the membership grows, we can create a schedule of annual events for 1878 Society members, alongside regular communication. Since our earliest foundation, we have been fortunate to have benefitted from a number of legacy donations. Miss Allen, the first Head was the first person to leave WGHS a gift in her will. Those who follow in this tradition by leaving a gift in their will to WGHS become members of the 1878 Society. Legacy income represents a valuable source of funding, enabling us to plan for the future, fund additional buildings and ensure that more girls can benefit from a WGHS education. A legacy gift in your will can benefit the School long into the future and is a wonderful way of helping future Old Girls. Making a will is not purely about money; it is about ensuring your wishes are respected and your affairs are in order. Whether big or small, every gift makes a world of difference.

If you have already made provision for a gift to WGHS in your will, please do let us know so that we can thank you for your generosity during your lifetime. We are happy to supply more information about how to leave a gift to School in your will. For all enquiries please contact cworsley@wghsss.org.uk

OLD GIRL MEMORIES Thank you to each and every Old Girl who contributed the fond memories of life at Wakefield Girls’ High School that have been displayed on the front and back covers of this edition of In Touch. Have any of these anecdotes made you reminisce about your own WGHS tales? If so then we’d love to hear from you! You can submit your High School stories to lhulme@wghsss.org.uk, and they may be featured in future issues!

Cate Allen (OG, 1997) Emily Annable (OG, 1997) Katherine Arnold (OG, 1997) Becky Asquith (OG, 2006) Susan Barraclough (OG, 1989) Jane Bates (OG, 1996) Lesley Bland (OG, 1991) Jo Boneham Sarah Booth (OG, 2004) Alison Brigden (OG, 1988) Laura Buckley (OG, 2009) Cat Chadwick (OG, 1998) Emma Clifton (née Perry) (OG, 2000) Harriet Cooke (OG, 2010) Helen Cressall (OG, 2002) Louise Crook (OG, 1993) Kate Cuthbert (OG, 1980) Sybilla Daley (OG, 2002) Lisa De Gruchy (OG, 1996) Sally Denham (OG, 2002) Catherine Dogra (OG, 1986) Jill Elburn Rachel Fox (OG, 1986) Fran Galbraith (OG, 1995) Helen Gilbank (OG, 1987) Wendy Gray (OG, 1977) Katharine Halifax (OG, 1965) Jenny Harman Ruth Hirschfield Jill Kashi (OG, 1983) Philippa Kaye

Charlie-Louise Kennedy (OG, 2009) Caroline Kittlety (OG, 1984) Samantha Leigh (OG, 1987) Vicky Linter (OG, 2011) Gaynor Lunn (OG, 1980) Natasha Midgley (OG, 1997) Elizabeth Newton (OG, 1971) Khadija Noor (OG, 1977) Anya Novak (OG, 1993) Sarah Osborne (OG, 1994) Catherine Parkin (OG, 1992) Rosemary Peacock (OG, 1964) Susan Proctor (OG, 1971) Jacqueline Pysden Jones (OG, 2006) Justine Riccomini (OG, 1978) Christine Robertson (OG, 1970) Kate Rowbottom Marilyn Rowell Jo Senior (OG, 2000) Ammabel Shelton (OG, 1992) Liz Stutz (OG, 1998) Eloise Thatcher (OG, 2002) Margaret Turnham (OG, 1972) Holly Walters (OG, 2006) Ruth Warnock (OG, 1991) Vicky Watson (OG, 2010) Elizabeth Watts (OG, 2011) Karen Wiebkin (OG, 1994) Julia Williams (OG, 1989) Nicky Wood (OG, 1995)

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Memories featured in this issue come from the following Old Girls:

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the Centenary picnic on the lawn

the encouragement and belief that we as girls could achieve Balmy summer Junior School lunchtimes lounging on the quad half-heartedly doing homework, but mostly gossiping!

Thank you Mum and Dad for giving me the School Trips opportunity

I remember WGHS (pupils and teachers) as my second family throughout my childhood

The beautiful uniform with the absolutely wonderful blazer

everyone putting make up on in Physics at ten to four so that they were bus-ready!

an enduring Mrs Stott and love of learning her animal a sense of self-belief

imitations

The flower arranging Semolina competition every summer

firm foundations for life and a support network like no other Squeezing down country lanes in the school minibus to go on DofE expeditions while debating if ice cream counted as “dairy” and therefore something we were allowed to buy En route

Making memories that will last a lifetime with the friends made over 16 years at the school

the external fire staircase to the sixth form dining room

where I discovered my love of science and was empowered as a woman

The much-dreaded start of term verruca check

hours of fun in the art block

The Being taught proper manners friends I Gooseberry pie made The end of term assemblies were always special

hiding in the cloakroom from the prefects to try to stay in on a lunchtime with my friends music with Miss Malham

Having the best, free forward-looking education I could possibly have had

Miss Littlewood was amazing – I loved her feminist stories during Latin and Greek lessons

You never stop being a part of the school, even when you leave through those gates for the last time. Once a high school girl, always a high school girl